Acme Cash Railway Co.

Moses C. Sweezy died on 31 December 1911 in his 72nd year. He was president and chief owner of the Acme Cash Railway company with its place of business at 152 Brewery Street, New Haven, Connecticut. He was born in Long Island and established the New Haven Ruffle Company which flourished when women's neck ruffs were popular. He then turned his attention to the invention and perfection of cash carriers. For a long period he was engaged in litigation involving infringements on his invention. "Larger firms annexed his hard worked-out plans." Bridgeport Evening Farmer, 1 Jan. 1912, p.5

Acme wire systems were installed in at least two shops in Victoria, Australia: A Miller in Geelong in 1895 and Craig, Williamson and Thomas. There is a detailed description from the Geelong Advertiser on the Locations - Victoria page.

There was an advertisement in Home Furnishing Review, vol. 13, ?1898, p. 81: "Single Wheel Acme Cash Railway. Only $14 per station and satisfaction guaranteed. Send for illustrated catalogue covering our full line. Inventors' models made to order. L.A.Holmes, manager."

A programme of the Grand Opera House, London, Ont. for the play A female drummer on 11 October 1898 states "Acme Cash Railway Co. of New Haven furnished the Second Act with the complete system of their service. M.C. Swesey, patentee."

"The Advance records the success of the Acme Cash Railway System, made possible by patents issued to M. C. Swezey, formerly of East Patehogue. It has installed its system in some 6,000 stores , including the large department ones. Mr. Swezey, though past 60 years of age, is hale and vigorous, and travels about 1,000 miles weekly between the New Haven factory and the New York city office." Suffolk County News, 4 May 1900

The Trow Copartnership and Corporation Directory of the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, March 1901 lists "Acme Cash Railway Co. (New Haven, Ct.) (represented by Moses C. Swesey, Pres.) 74, 5th av."

The left illustration is of the No. 32 Hand Push Carriers manufactured by the Acme Cash Railway Co. The carriers are operated by a slight push of the hand on the ends of the cars. Being balanced on ball-bearing wheels, little effort is required to send them to their destination. No springs, pulleys or rubbers are involved. Hardware Dealers' Magazine, 1 July 1919, p. 87.

I have no information on any other models although the "No. 32" would suggest an extensive range.

"The Acme Cash Railway is built by the E.A.Burgess estate, 67-69 Court Street, New Haven, Conn., and is so effective and withal so cheap that it is a serious question if any live shopkeeper can afford to be without it."

Some known locations in the USA are T.&J. Dasey of Little Falls, NY, the Siegel-Cooper store in New York, and Samuel Cully of North Adams, MA. (See Locations.)

The right illustration is from the Chicago Dry Goods Reporter of 3 March, 1900, p. 60. By this time Baldwins either owned Acme or were at least acting as their agents.